Technologies For Car Wash Wastewater Treatment: A 2015–2025 Literature Review
Keywords:
Car wash wastewater, Wastewater treatment, ElectrocoagulationAbstract
Car wash wastewater contains surfactants, oils, suspended solids, heavy metals, and microbial pollutants. Discharge wastewater from carwash facilities poses serious environmental risks, and high-water use leads to resource depletion. This literature review synthesizes research published between 2015 and 2025 on technologies developed for car wash wastewater treatment. The review is based on a systematic analysis of peer-reviewed studies selected from the Scopus database in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, resulting in 38 articles addressing various treatment approaches. The findings are organized thematically across biological processes, membrane filtration systems, adsorption techniques, electrocoagulation, advanced oxidation processes, hydrodynamic cavitation, and integrated hybrid systems. Electrocoagulation emerges as a particularly promising technology due to its broad-spectrum removal capabilities, operational simplicity, and compatibility with other methods. Membrane filtration, especially ultrafiltration and nanofiltration, consistently achieves high-quality effluent suitable for reuse but requires effective pretreatment to mitigate fouling. Biological treatments offer strong performance for biodegradable pollutants, while advanced oxidation and cavitation techniques address persistent organics and surfactants. The review highlights that hybrid (combined) treatment systems, which strategically combine multiple processes, provide the most comprehensive and resilient solutions for pollutant removal and water reuse. Despite considerable progress, research gaps remain regarding energy efficiency, long-term system performance, and cost optimization. The findings underscore the necessity of developing scalable, sustainable treatment configurations to ensure safe discharge and promote water reuse in the car wash industry.
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